The benefits hidden in our starry dark skies
Time to celebrate our night skies for International Dark Sky Week! Have you heard about the proposal for a Dark Sky Reserve in the Sunshine Coast hinterland?
Dr Ken Wishaw and Dr Paul Baker
Happy International Dark Sky Week! From April 2 to April 8, communities around the world will look to the skies in appreciation.
This celebration of our night skies also calls for the protection of our dark skies into the future by minimising light pollution.
The week carries extra significance for our region this year, after Sunshine Coast Council proposed to establish a Dark Sky Reserve in our hinterland.
So why are dark night skies so important?
It makes our region special
Have you ever looked up in wonder at a night sky filled with stars?
During good conditions in dark locations in our hinterland, you can see about 4000 stars.
On the same night, you might see 100 in central Brisbane.
About 80 per cent of the world’s population lives under ‘skyglow’, with large amounts of light pollution making it difficult to see stars.
By establishing a Dark Sky Reserve, we can help preserve our night skies for future generations to enjoy.
It improves health and wellbeing
Studies show being exposed to light at night impacts our natural sleep rhythms and can increase the risk of sleep disorders, depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Wildlife depend on dark skies
Migratory birds, nocturnal marsupials, koalas, bats: all these animals and many more need dark skies to thrive.
Light pollution reducing darkness and star visibility can affect their ability to navigate long distances, move safely, reproduce and find food.
It can bring our community together and support business
Stargazing is a free, fun and family-friendly way to connect with others and with the natural world.
Establishing a Dark Sky Reserve would likely boost astro-tourism for our hinterland businesses, with the Sunshine Coast in the unique position of having its own international airport and warm climate, excellent for travelling stargazers.
The push to protect our dark skies
Dark sky measurements show excellent quality night sky in areas around the Mary River Catchment, where Council is looking to establish a Dark Sky Reserve for our region.
Establishing a Dark Sky Reserve can help preserve our night skies and brilliant stars for the future.
A dark night sky with plenty of visible stars has benefits for community wellbeing, retaining character of hinterland areas, promoting astro-tourism for hinterland businesses and is also important to our native wildlife that need to move, feed or reproduce safely at night.
Sunshine Coast Council is proposing a Dark Sky Reserve encompassing 873 square kilometres in the Mary River Catchment and connected national parks, covering 38 per cent of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area.
Find out more about the proposed Dark Sky Reserve on Council’s website.
Council will soon seek feedback from the community on this proposal.
You can receive a notification as soon as consultation begins by subscribing at Council’s Have Your Say website.
Simple steps to reduce light pollution at home
You can help reduce light pollution for our dark night skies!
- Turn off lights and only use lighting when needed.
- Minimise unnecessary outdoor lighting.
- Switch to dark sky friendly warm-coloured light bulbs.
- Shield lights and direct light downwards.